I've used Airbnb a lot. I've had really incredibly bad experiences with customer support and hosts. I've had a few good experiences. Overall I wish there was a better way to do 1-2 month rentals in the USA. Airbnb is a total coin toss on if the 1-2 months will be great or a nightmare.
Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
51–60 of 237 posts
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#52Is anybody else kind of over AirBnb? I loved it for a while, but now prices have gone way up, the "cleaning fees" are exorbitant and make navigating/browsing a minefield, and I've had a few sketchy incidents (which were, admittedly, a side effect of choosing the cheapest place I could find), including one where the apartment manager came in, went through our clothes and _stole the bed_.
I've found myself just using hotels now, there's less hassle - but probably less good stories to tell.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#53Is anybody else kind of over AirBnb? I loved it for a while, but now prices have gone way up, the "cleaning fees" are exorbitant and make navigating/browsing a minefield, and I've had a few sketchy incidents (which were, admittedly, a side effect of choosing the cheapest place I could find), including one where the apartment manager came in, went through our clothes and _stole the bed_. I've found myself just using h…
I don't know if there's a special tax in place in Chicago, but AirBnbs have been almost double the price of hotels recently.
Uber/Lyft have been super expensive as well. I wonder if we're seeing that these company's original pricing model was unsustainable, or if something else is going on.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#54Is anybody else kind of over AirBnb? I loved it for a while, but now prices have gone way up, the "cleaning fees" are exorbitant and make navigating/browsing a minefield, and I've had a few sketchy incidents (which were, admittedly, a side effect of choosing the cheapest place I could find), including one where the apartment manager came in, went through our clothes and _stole the bed_. I've found myself just using h…
I don't know if there's a special tax in place in Chicago, but AirBnbs have been almost double the price of hotels recently. Uber/Lyft have been super expensive as well. I wonder if we're seeing that these company's original pricing model was unsustainable, or if something else is going on.
My guess it's that the VC subsidies have come to an end and it's time to pay the piper.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#55Is anybody else kind of over AirBnb? I loved it for a while, but now prices have gone way up, the "cleaning fees" are exorbitant and make navigating/browsing a minefield, and I've had a few sketchy incidents (which were, admittedly, a side effect of choosing the cheapest place I could find), including one where the apartment manager came in, went through our clothes and _stole the bed_. I've found myself just using h…
If it's just you or a couple then hotels are generally better. AirBnBs are great for groups or families where it becomes cheaper per room and you get a common space. Also for things like remote cabins.
We've taken to using AirBnB as a search and then booking directly with the provider. AirBnB's fees are exorbitant and they cost per night is marked up as well. I think we saved $600 or so with the last stay and got more favorable terms.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#56Is anybody else kind of over AirBnb? I loved it for a while, but now prices have gone way up, the "cleaning fees" are exorbitant and make navigating/browsing a minefield, and I've had a few sketchy incidents (which were, admittedly, a side effect of choosing the cheapest place I could find), including one where the apartment manager came in, went through our clothes and _stole the bed_. I've found myself just using h…
I have the same experience. It's fun for a holiday week with friends, and that's it. The prices are no longer attractive and it's way less convenient than a hotel. Arranging the key exchange on arrival and departure has always been a hassle for me.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#57The article mentions a rape in an Airbnb in New York. The suspect had keys, presumably picked up from a lax key exchange in a nearby bodega. The cops were called and Airbnb was notified. Airbnb payed for a hotel, offered to fly the victim's mother out, paid for their return flight, and paid $7 million to the victim. The perp was caught by police shortly after the incident. Part of the payout was that she couldn't tal…
Why do you think they're rare? As the article mentions, they only paid $7m in this case because the victim wasn't the one who rented the apartment (and therefore aren't bound by Airbnb's ToS) and we're only learning about it because a journalist went digging into court records.
> Anyone registering on the site is required to sign this agreement, which bars legal claims for injury or stress arising from a stay and requires confidential arbitration in the event of a dispute. Former safety agents estimate the company handles thousands of allegations of sexual assault every year, many involving rape.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#58Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't know if there's a special tax in place in Chicago, but AirBnbs have been almost double the price of hotels recently. Uber/Lyft have been super expensive as well. I wonder if we're seeing that these company's original pricing model was unsustainable, or if something else is going on.
My guess it's that the VC subsidies have come to an end and it's time to pay the piper.
I don't use Uber much and haven't used them at all for probably a couple of years now. But I've been hearing a lot of anecdotal stories about pricing shooting through the roof. Business travelers mostly won't care. However, anyone who was depending on the subsidized prices for day to day usage may have to make significant adjustments.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#59Is anybody else kind of over AirBnb? I loved it for a while, but now prices have gone way up, the "cleaning fees" are exorbitant and make navigating/browsing a minefield, and I've had a few sketchy incidents (which were, admittedly, a side effect of choosing the cheapest place I could find), including one where the apartment manager came in, went through our clothes and _stole the bed_. I've found myself just using h…
If it's just you or a couple then hotels are generally better. AirBnBs are great for groups or families where it becomes cheaper per room and you get a common space. Also for things like remote cabins. We've taken to using AirBnB as a search and then booking directly with the provider. AirBnB's fees are exorbitant and they cost per night is marked up as well. I think we saved $600 or so with the last stay and got mor…
For the group situations, I've had great success with VRBO, always seemed professional.
Re: Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away
#60Is anybody else kind of over AirBnb? I loved it for a while, but now prices have gone way up, the "cleaning fees" are exorbitant and make navigating/browsing a minefield, and I've had a few sketchy incidents (which were, admittedly, a side effect of choosing the cheapest place I could find), including one where the apartment manager came in, went through our clothes and _stole the bed_. I've found myself just using h…
Hotels are usually easier and cheaper EXCEPT if you actually want a whole house. Traveling with kids and a babysitter requires like 3 rooms and having a kitchen is a huge plus. So for that, its really good.